FMLA is here to help and protect you

[Savannahmann]

But you have to take advantage of it. FMLA is one of those things that must be invoked, like your right to an attorney. You have to tell the police you want to talk to a lawyer. You have to invoke your rights, otherwise the damned courts will decide that you waived them by not requesting it.

FMLA is one of those rights more people should be aware of. I was astonished that I was the only one who brought this act up during this thread. http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024468857

FMLA is our first and best line of defense if you or a family member have a medical condition. Please take some time, read the information and take the forms to your Doctor. http://www.dol.gov/whd/fmla/

Get those forms filled out, and get them to your employer. Once you invoke FMLA it is a very strong protection for those of you who have children, or other dependents who need you to care for them from time to time.

But you have to invoke it. The employer is not going to tell you about how you can protect your job. The employers wish that this act didn't exist. Show them you're smart, and that you know your rights, give them the forms to protect yourself while caring for your loved ones.

The FMLA entitles eligible employees of covered employers to take unpaid, job-protected leave for specified family and medical reasons with continuation of group health insurance coverage under the same terms and conditions as if the employee had not taken leave. Eligible employees are entitled to:
Twelve workweeks of leave in a 12-month period for:
the birth of a child and to care for the newborn child within one year of birth;
the placement with the employee of a child for adoption or foster care and to care for the newly placed child within one year of placement;
to care for the employee’s spouse, child, or parent who has a serious health condition;
a serious health condition that makes the employee unable to perform the essential functions of his or her job;
any qualifying exigency arising out of the fact that the employee’s spouse, son, daughter, or parent is a covered military member on “covered active duty;” or
Twenty-six workweeks of leave during a single 12-month period to care for a covered servicemember with a serious injury or illness if the eligible employee is the servicemember’s spouse, son, daughter, parent, or next of kin (military caregiver leave).

My friends, you have rights you didn't know about, and I encourage you to learn about them and tell your friends and co-workers about their rights. Because together we can save each others jobs, and protect our families. But we have to take action to protect ourselves and our friends.

I have told co-workers about this act, and some of them have thanked me because they have family members with medical conditions. They have jobs now because I helped them by telling them of four pages of forms that need to be filled out by your Doctor. Most medical groups have a person who does these forms about once a week or so. I've asked my wife's doctors office and my own.

Protect yourself, save your jobs, they are hard to come by, and protect your families. Use the act the way we intended when we passed the thing under Bill Clinton.

[TransitJohn]

1. How does that cover the parent in the referenced thread?

I don't see it.

[Savannahmann]

2. If the Mother had FMLA...

Then she could have called in and said I have to remain with my child today, and this will be a FMLA event. All the Doctor would have to do is include a statement that the care for the child may include episodic care and the need to miss a day or two a week every month or so. The Doctors know what to write, and they want to help you. But you have to ask for it.

[WillowTree]

5. It isn't covered by FMLA if the absence isn't due to caring for the child because he's sick.

As I said on the other thread, just because the kid is special needs does not automatically make her absence to be with him medically required. And in this case, she wasn't staying home with him because he was ill, it was because the schools were closed and she couldn't find a babysitter. Not the same thing, and not covered by FMLA.

[Savannahmann]

6. Special Needs

Here's the definition. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/special%20needs

In other words, Special Needs is another term for disabled. Mentally or physical, which is a medical condition.

Rush Limbaugh might agree with you, but I don't think that DEMOCRATS like the Democratic Congress and Senate who passed the bill and President who signed it into law would.

[WillowTree]

8. One more time.......

.......she didn't have to stay home with him because of something related to his condition. The article specifically states that ".......she was called back and informed she would need a doctor's note, despite the fact that there was no illness". But she obviously couldn't get one because there was no illness and it wasn't about his disability, it was about child care.

Believe that FMLA would have applied in this situation if you want, but you're wrong. I realize that I'm not going to change your opinion, being as how you're an authority on the subject due to the fact that your cousin is able to make use of FMLA to care for an ailing family member, but you're not going to change mine, either, since I've been in the position of actually administering FMLA benefits.

Have a good day.

[TransitJohn]

9. That's a pretty shitty post and smear of a DUer

Just because they are saying that closed schools isn't a medical condition.

[kcass1954]

4. Had this mother filed the appropriate FMLA paperwork with her employer regarding her child

and his needs, none of the absences related to the care of the child could have been used in any disciplinary action against her.

[tammywammy]

3. To be qualified for FMLA you've had to work there 12 months and 1,250 hours. n/t

[Savannahmann]

7. That might exclude her.

That information is not in the article. But that would be about the only exclusion.